by Mark Hamby

We who preach and write, do so in a manner different from which the Scriptures have been written. We write while we make progress. We learn something new every day. We speak as we still knock for understanding...If anyone criticizes me when I have said what is right, he does me an injustice. But I would be more angry with the one who praises me and takes what I have written for Gospel truth than I would be with the one who criticizes me unfairly. -Augustine

Have you ever lied about something? Have you ever thought about why people lie? The Bible says “The wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray from birth, speaking lies” (Psalm 58:3). But as we grow older, most people continue to lie for two main reasons:

1. Insecurity

2. Fear of consequences

As we are about to see, lying isn’t just a childhood fault. In fact, lying has occurred and still does among some of the godliest adults.
• Abraham, for example, lied to Pharaoh concerning Sarah’s true identity. The cause? Insecurity.
• Moses lied after killing the Egyptian. The cause? Fear.
• Jacob lied about his identity to his father. The cause? Insecurity.
• David lied to the priest while fleeing from Saul. The cause? Fear.
• Peter lied about his relationship with Jesus. The cause? Insecurity and fear.
Though five of our most esteemed Bible characters had a problem with lying, God did not respond with a wrathful exhibition of washing their mouth out with soap. In fact, God allowed natural consequences to be their teacher. Abraham’s lie resulted in embarrassment as he was rebuked by Pharaoh. Moses’s lie caused him to lose the trust of the children of Israel. Jacob’s lie created a rift between his father and brother that, by the way, has lasted even to this day. Jacob’s lie also caused his exile from home for over twenty years–he never saw his mother again (Genesis 25-32). David’s lie resulted in the death of an entire family of priests (1 Samuel 22). And Peter shamefully ran away when reminded of his lie by a crowing rooster and a loving glance from the Savior (Luke 22:61).